Latest news with #Maximilian
Mint
3 days ago
- Health
- Mint
How to turn your home into a gym with just one kettlebell and 5 great workouts
Kettlebell training has come a long way over the last few years. Part of the reason could be the pandemic, when people realised that just this one piece of equipment could turn into a whole gym if used smartly. Part of the reason is that functional training becoming more important even in regular gyms. And of course, a third reason is social media, where kettlebell experts have found an audience for the kind of training they do. In fact, I wrote a story for Lounge three years ago that focused on kettlebell-only training, so it's time to update that list with another 'workouts of the month" with a little twist: only a single kettlebell will be needed for every workout. Maximilian's 30-minute workout After following many fitness experts, MaximilianMoves seems to be the best page for kettlebell workouts. While the comment section on his posts are full of doubts about whether his body is built entirely on kettlebell exercises, it is just wise to focus on how incredibly good his work is. With over 600,000 followers on Instagram, Maximilian's videos are becoming very popular and there is good reason to follow him. It was tough to choose one video from his collection, but the one below, which he recommends to do for 30 minutes, is perfect if you want to find out what a kettlebell workout looks and feels like. A post shared by Maximilian 🇸🇰 (@maximilianmoves) There are five exercises to be done for six minutes each with a single kettlebell. In his caption, he defines the exercises from the first being for 'Power (kettlebell swings & explosive lifts)", the second for rotational strength and core control, the third is an isometric holds for the joints, the fourth 'mobility flows (move pain-free)" and the fifth a 'slow muscle builder (controlled hypertrophy)". Also Read How to master the drop jump and work with gravity to increase your strength and speed It sounds complicated and not beginner friendly but that doesn't mean one can't start off with this routine with way lighter weights. Get used to a light kettlebell and push on from you're into something simpler, then try this one exercise from the same creator. A post shared by Maximilian 🇸🇰 (@maximilianmoves) Alex Crockford's 35-minute kettlebell muscle-building workout Alex Crockford's page is a repository of some brilliant workout videos, especially exercises that require minimal equipment and space. This particular workout operates on a 40-seconds-on, 20-seconds-off format and starts with a nice short warm-up, followed by the main routine which is around half an hour long. Crockford takes time to teach the moves in the first set of the three that will be attempted, including technique, especially because kettlebell training involves a lot of hip work. He starts off with kettlebell cleans, moves into swings, and then RDLs. This gives you a gist of what to expect in this workout. For those who might need to feel as if they're lifting, this demands the exact amount of effort if not more. It comes equipped with a finisher set of push-ups and jump squats, and ends with a nice stretching routine. Oli McCann's 15-minute upper body workout Some days are just upper body days, and for that there's this 15-minute drill that can be done as a standalone workout, or at the start or end of a longer workout. It's done in a 30-seconds-on, 10-seconds-off format and hits every muscle, including some good core work as well, with planks and drags and rotations.I've used this one as a warm-up and could surely feel more prepared for the remaining workout. If one round isn't enough, then do it twice. Also Read What is the Khaos push-up routine and what makes it a great full body workout Juice & Toya's 20-minute full body workout The deadlift and catch, the drop squat-plus-curl, and lots of other fun exercises are part of this routine from Juice & Toya. Although it's not marketed as a single kettlebell workout, it still is one, and it has a lot of high energy moves done in an even shorter tabata format of 20-seconds-on, 10-seconds-off. That's what makes this one such a favourite if you want to sweat it out, plus it is divided into muscle groups which keeps that hypertrophy goal in mind as well. Daniel PT's kettlebell abs workout If it's only the core you want to target, then Daniel PT replaces his usual high-octane workouts with a calmer more focussed abs workout using a single kettlebell. With easy moves like drops to the side and some drags, he introduces a couple of tough variations of the Russian twist for the main challenge, along with some leg raises. A really good abs workout if you're looking for one, and can also be used at the end of a workout. Pulasta Dhar is a football commentator, writer and podcaster. Also Read How to strengthen your lower back and glutes and avoid injuries with back extensions
National Post
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- National Post
Senior Living: An auto biography
Let me introduce myself. I am a car and my family name is Buick. My given name is Allure which I really like. I am a member of the General Motors family and my owner calls me Maximilian. That is because that's what she called all her transport vehicles. In fact her first Maximilian was her bicycle in Hungary. The rest were new cars, all members of the General Motors family except the first one, a used car whose odometer was reset and that emitted smoke front and back. Article content Article content Article content My owner's name is Alice and we have been together for over 18 years, so you can see I am quite a mature car. She picked me up brand new at Gravel Auto on Nun's Island. I am a handsome car, even if I say so. My exterior colour is a subdued beige and so is the interior. I can seat four to five people comfortably and am a bit too big for my single owner but she likes it that way. Article content I am writing my memoirs now because my stay with Alice is ending and I don't want to forget our good times together. Article content Alice and I had some nice trips together and I got to know Montreal and its environs. A favourite was a trip to the Westmount Lookout with a great view of the city. She also likes historic places and many rides took us to Old Montreal and the Notre-Dame-De-Bon-Secours chapel. I must say I had quite a time navigating the narrow streets of Old Montreal but I didn't mind. It was so interesting. We also went several times to the Maison Saint-Gabriel, a lovely old house that dates back to the first settlers of Ville-Marie, as Montreal was then called. We also crossed Mount Royal and I enjoyed the scenery on both sides of the road. Article content Article content But Alice also drove me farther afield. We visited her friends on the West Island and crossed the St Lawrence River to the South Shore. Other trips took us to the Eastern Townships and the Laurentians where I enjoyed the scenery, particularly the fall colours. Article content I also got to know some of Alice's family and friends when they were passengers In the car. I picked up some Hungarian, which is Alice's native language but it is a difficult language to learn. Article content Alice is a careful driver — still we had some run-ins with the law and had fines to pay. One-time she did not stop for a school bus on the other side of the street and was fined. At other times we were rescued by the CAA in difficult situations. I am glad she kept up her membership. Article content Alice has taken good care of me. Twice a year we visited Emilio and Adriano in their garage. They checked me, fixed what needed fixing, changed tires and off we drove. Another place we visited was the car wash where Reza and the boys made me look my best inside and outside.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From red carpets to reels: Natural diamonds dominate the spotlight
From royal courts to red carpets, natural diamonds have long been symbols of love, luxury, and legacy. But more than just timeless stones, they are storytellers, radiating emotional brilliance across generations. It began in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a natural diamond engagement ring — an enduring gesture that marked the start of a new chapter in love. Centuries later, Marilyn Monroe lit up the silver screen with 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend', immortalising diamonds as the ultimate emblem of glamour. No diamond has lived more lives — or told more stories — than the 128.54-carat Tiffany Yellow Diamond. Discovered 146 years ago, this stone has seen the world change while remaining a constant in moments of high culture. Cut in 1878 and worn by only a handful of iconic women, its journey is nothing short of mythical. Audrey Hepburn famously wore it for the Breakfast at Tiffany's publicity shoot in 1957, embedding it into pop culture. Decades later, Lady Gaga revived its red-carpet magic at the 2019 Oscars, and Beyoncé added her name to its legend in a Tiffany campaign. Its cameo in 'Death on the Nile' reaffirmed its cinematic allure, cementing it as a diamond of many eras, each reimagining its brilliance anew. Natural diamonds jazzing up fashion Once symbols of grand occasions, natural diamonds have now stepped into everyday wardrobes — not just as ornaments, but as expressions of identity. In a world where fashion often speaks first, these gems have become storytellers — quiet, powerful, and deeply personal. Today's tastemakers wear diamonds with purpose: Jennifer Lopez's rare pink engagement ring, Deepika Padukone's sapphire-diamond stunner at the Oscars, or Amal Alamuddin's ethically sourced solitaire — each piece tells a story of identity and intent. Even subtler statements — Meghan Markle's butterfly earrings once owned by Princess Diana or Rihanna's bold 9-carat toe ring — show how natural diamonds can be both personal and audacious. These are not just jewels, but intimate expressions of self. Now more than ever, natural diamonds reflect the wearer — versatile, rare, and unafraid to break the mould. 'Every milestone deserves a gift, and for me, nothing beats natural diamond jewellery — timeless, trendy, and forever valuable', says fashion influencer Piyusha Sharma The diamond tennis bracelet became iconic after Chris Evert's diamonds slipped off her wrist mid-match at the US Open, prompting a pause in play. Chris Evert explained why the diamond was so valuable for her - My tennis bracelet added a personal element to my style on the court and served as a daily reminder that I can do and be anything, said tennis player Chris Evert Timeless jewellery and the self-gifting culture Modern jewellery celebrates more than love — it honours self-worth. Increasingly, natural diamonds are being chosen not just for their sparkle, but for what they stand for. They've become personal talismans, worn to mark career triumphs, personal growth, or even quiet victories. Owning a natural diamond isn't just a luxury; it's an experience — one rooted in rarity, craftsmanship, and emotion. Their unmatched formation process — created under pressure over billions of years — mirrors the strength and uniqueness of the wearer. Diamond weddings: A new trend? Natural diamonds are redefining Indian bridal glamour. Brides are no longer content with purely traditional pieces — they're choosing jewellery that balances modern taste with heirloom value, pieces they can pass down, and pieces that reflect who they are. From high-voltage solitaire chokers to polki-diamond hybrids, bridal collections are moving towards couture-level sparkle, where craftsmanship meets emotional investment. For the contemporary bride, natural diamonds feel right — timeless, elegant, and unmatched in value. Weddings are rich with meaning. And only a natural diamond, with its billion-year journey, can truly honour those once-in-a-lifetime moments. In a crux Natural diamonds are celebrated for more than their brilliance, they carry stories across generations, embody a quiet strength, and rarity that makes each one feel entirely one's own. Whether adorning royalty, Hollywood stars, or individuals celebrating their own journeys, they remain the most enduring symbols of emotion, elegance, and expression. Through eras, across cultures — they persist. And they continue to be the most authentic form of personal luxury in the modern world. Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Tanishq by Times Internet's Spotlight team.
Telegraph
20-02-2025
- Telegraph
Innsbruck's locals have cracked the perfect ‘ski-life balance' – here's how I did the same
I don't often think about Holy Roman Emperors while on the ski slopes. But as I passed a humming Alpine mountain restaurant with a terrace brim full of sun-worshippers, I noticed its name – Kaiser-Maximilian-Hütte – and a flood of recollections came back to me. Ah yes, Kaiser Max as he is known in these parts. This was the legendary Habsburg ruler who, as Holy Roman Emperor in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, made Innsbruck his seat of power and, for a while, the most important city in Europe. I'd learnt a great deal about Maximilian during an extended walking tour of the city the preceding day as I sought to get my bearings and take advantage of the innovative Ski+City pass which gives visitors the chance to mix and match time on the slopes with exploring some of the city's myriad attractions. I'd been to Innsbruck before, but realised that – other than the fact it's closely surrounded by mountains (you can hardly miss those) and that it was famous for hosting the Winter Olympic Games (1964 and 1976) – I knew precious little about it. Or indeed its most illustrious ruler. Interested though I am in history, Maximilian had somehow slipped through the net. The tour soon put me straight. A keen warrior, Maximilian was considered the last of the medieval knights and the first of the Renaissance princes; he was a man who straddled both worlds, an innovator (he pioneered the use of canon), a reformer (he introduced the first ever postal service), a lover of lavish displays and a self-publicist par excellence. One such display, the Goldenes Dachl (golden roof), is the go-to attraction for pretty much all tourists passing through the city. This roof – a spectacular construction covering a balcony in one of the grand buildings in the medieval part of town – was built to mark Maximilian's wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza in 1500. While not actually gold (it was made of fire-gilded copper tiles), it glitters to this day, providing the perfect backdrop to the selfies and Hollywood poses of which Maximilian would so thoroughly have approved. His other great legacy is the extraordinary tomb that was constructed in the Hofkirche (Court Church) containing a guard of honour of 28 life-size bronze statues of his ancestors and legendary figures of European royalty – including our very own King Arthur – surrounding a vast marble mausoleum. Incomplete at the time of Maximilian's death in 1519, the tomb has never contained his remains (which are in Vienna) – but it remains one of the most remarkable monuments to the dead you will ever see. No wonder I paused at that mountain hut the following day as I sped down the slopes above Küthai – at 2,020 metres, it's the highest resort of the six surrounding Innsbruck and one of 12 covered by the Ski+City pass and easily reached by bus. But my skiing day was still young and I was hungry to cover ground – the red runs coming down from the Hochalter, the Schwarzmoos and – inevitably – the KaiserBahn lifts on what in the morning was very much the sunny side of the resort. Later, on the other side of the resort, I tackled a further series of lovely reds, the runs beautifully framed by the jagged peaks above Hochoetz, before moving onto the more challenging black runs coming down from the GaisKogelBahn. I am an experienced skier, but it always takes a while to get back into the groove, and a few black runs certainly did that. I'd more than earned the vast portion of Apfel Strudel and vanilla sauce I was served by a waitress wearing lederhosen on the terrace of the Dorfstadl restaurant where I enjoyed my own precious moments in the sun, and the communal buzz of contented skiers nearly all of whom were native Austrians. Skiing in the resorts close to Innsbruck worked very well in combination with wider cultural exploration. None of them are that big so if, as I did on another day, you want to spend just the morning (or afternoon) skiing, devoting the other part of the day to exploring, say, a castle, it is easy to do it. The piste maps are manageable; there are a range of options but not so many that you feel overwhelmed. No, here you can do as the locals do: ski for half a day and do something else in the other half. It's called the ski-life balance. Which is how, on another day, I came to spend the morning skiing in Axamer Lizum – a resort famous for its winter Olympic runs and the Hoadlbahn cable car which whisks you to 2,340 metres in just six minutes. The sun was out again as I sought (not wholly successfully) to rediscover my carving skills along a range of runs suited to intermediate skiers before easing along the gentler slopes closer to the tree line. From Axamer Lizum, there are stunning views of Innsbruck and the River Inn; the bridge over which – first built in the 12th century – was a key connection between the north and south of Europe and the basis of the town's meteoric rise as a medieval superstar, a buzzing metropolis flush with money from the trade in silver and salt and a constant flow of merchants. I was itching to get back down there to dip in again to the City side of my pass, which allows access to 22 attractions ranging from a 400-year-old bell foundry, an interactive science centre, an ancient mint, an indoor pool with sauna and the dazzling Swarovski Crystal Worlds. With just four days, I had to be very selective and opted that afternoon to head just out of town to the Ambras Castle. High on a hill, this stunning Renaissance residence – built by Maximilian's grandson Ferdinand II as a sumptuous retreat for his 'commoner' wife Philippine Welser (something of a scandal at the time) – was home to the world's first museum, a magnificent collection including armour, Ottoman treasures and Gothic sculptures. It also has a truly vast bathing area (Philippine obviously enjoyed luxuriating). I also took a trip by cable car up to Nordkette, the closest peak to the city offering fabulous views, stopping along the way at the Alpine Zoo to marvel at mountain cats and brown bears, and pausing to take in the striking stations along the way designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. I admired more of Hadid's handiwork on the last day of my trip when, rather than squeezing in the challenge of a session on the Stubai Glacier, I opted instead for a very leisurely Sunday morning Frühstuck (breakfast-brunch) admiring the views from the 12th floor of the stylish Adlers Hotel (a great base for Innsbruck), before making the short bus trip to the Hadid-designed Bergisel Ski Jump, site of extraordinary derring-do – both in the winter sports arena but also in the famous (if indecisive) battles in 1809 between Tyrolean freedom fighters and the combined forces of Bavaria and Napoleonic France. Beyond the pass, I dined like a king (or rather kaiser) on goulash soup, Grostl roasted potatoes and a surprisingly tasty ensemble of gnocchi, beetroot and feta cheese in wonderful establishments such as the 600-year-old Weisses Rössl in the heart of the medieval city. I also attended a musical soirée involving works by Mozart (who passed through Innsbruck on his way to Italy) played on a combination of flute, violin, viola and violoncello. I enjoyed feeling part of the city – which contains a large student contingent – while also being able to access the surrounding slopes with ease (needless to say the buses were punctual and comfortable). Obviously this kind of trip wouldn't suit people wanting to focus intensively on skiing (or snowboarding); there are plenty of resorts within easy access of Innsbruck – Mayrhofen comes to mind – that are better for that. But for those who want to combine the adrenaline rush of mountain air and exercise with a stronger sense of place - or for those travelling with people who do not want to ski at all – this is a very good option. On the eve of my return to the UK, I wanted to pay my last respects to the great Holy Roman Emperor who so decisively put Innsbruck on the map. It was a Sunday night, as it happens the one time in the week when, during evening Mass in the Hofkirche, the organ dating back to 1558 – the oldest in Austria - is played. I sat spellbound as the music filled the air and pinched myself at the splendour of the statuary that was all around me. They may have been motionless, but no doubt all those worthies surrounding the imperial memorial were similarly moved. I felt I'd finally got to know Maximilian, the colossus who stands tall over Innsbruck in much the same way as the majestic mountains that surround and define it. What a man; what a place. Essentials Adrian Bridge was a guest of Austria Tourism and Innsbruck Tourism. He stayed in Adlers Hotel in Innsbruck; double rooms from €135, excluding breakfast. The SKI plus CITY pass Stubai Innsbruck starts from €147 euros for two days. British Airways, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI Airways offer direct flights between the UK and Innsbruck.
